EVR3013L - Field Report II

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Florida International University *

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3013L

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Geography

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Dec 6, 2023

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Field Trip Report Template for EVR 3013L Name: Esteban Arrieta______ ____________ PID: ___6334020___________________ Field trips to our natural areas allow students to experience the beauty and diversity in the unique ecosystems of Southeast Florida. This template will be used for each physical OR virtual field trip! This report will be split up into different sections for clear organization so that you can reflect more adequately on the ecosystems and species discovered. The following are the main sections that comprise the body of this report:  Introduction & Background Information  Ecosystem Descriptions  Flora and Fauna Identifications w/ Captions  Species Profile  Anthropogenic Effects on the Ecosystems  References Introduction & Background Information Where did your field trip take place (give the park name – was it a state preserve or national park)? _Big Cypress National Preserve. It is a state preserve. ___________________________________________ Name the ecosystems that were explored on your field trip: Cyprus Swamp. _____________ When did you embark on this field trip? Provide the Date__Saturday 11, 2023_____________________ & Time: From__8:00___h to_13:00_______h (Use 24h time: 0:00 to 24:00) Provide an introduction to the field trip location (give history and date the park/preserve was created) as well as the objectives of this visit determined by your professor or TA (minimum 1 paragraph). Big Cypress National Preserve is a natural area located in southern Florida. It was established on October 11 of 1974, and it was the first national preserve of the United States (National Park Service, par.3). The region was first settled by Native Americans over 5,000 years ago, and later, during the 19th and 20th centuries, was used for cattle grazing and logging (National Park Service, par. 7-9). We went to the preserve to gain a more thorough understanding of the range of species, the timing and duration of wet and dry cycles, and the overall ecosystem. Ecosystem Descriptions Describe EACH ecosystem visited in detail (minimum 1 paragraph per ecosystem) . Describe the major plant/animal communities and write about what they would look like, smell like, and sound like. Expectations are to use the lecture materials in conjunction with field trip information for this section. Give general form/shape and architecture for the ecosystems. ANY special characteristics (such as fire regimes, tolerances to water or salt, as well as hydroperiods) are to be covered. Cypress Swamps:

Cypress Swamps are wetland ecosystems dominated by bald cypress trees and other hydrophilic plants (National Park Service, par. 1). The cypress swamps are home to a diverse array of plant and animal communities, including bromeliads, strangler fig, buttonwood, as well as alligators, apple snail, or mosquito fish. The swamp provides essential habitat for many species of birds, including egrets, herons, anhingas, and woodpeckers (National Park Service, par. 2-3). Fire is an important factor in the ecology of the cypress swamps, as regular burning can help to maintain the open canopy and prevent the encroachment of more fire-sensitive species (BigCypress Swamp ppt, slide 16). The swamp also has a unique hydroperiod and can vary depending on the location and topography of the swamp. Some areas may flood for only a few weeks each year, while others may remain flooded for most of the year (National Park Service, par. 10). The place feels a bit humid, and there is a lot of airflow. It is muddy and wet. Once we got into the water, the airflow stopped as the number of trees around us increased. There are trees everywhere, with a reasonable space between them. There were no animals in sight, just the sound of a crow in the background. The trail was irregular, and the mud made it difficult to walk without almost falling. The most common sound is the water flowing, and the branches moving. Flora and Fauna Identifications w/ Captions In this section/space, attach and place photos of at least TEN NATIVE plants and/or animals (could be a mix or all either plants/animals – BUT ALWAYS NATIVE). In a cation BELOW EACH photo please provide the common AND scientific names (Ex: American alligator = Alligator mississippiensis ) along with two sentences of information about each species that can help you identify the animal or plant (think of particular physical characteristics, behavior, and where it is that the plant or animal can be found). REMEMBER TO WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS – COPY & PASTING IS PLAGIARISM. Photo #1: The above photo is of the Bald Cypress Tree, Taxodium distichum (photo by me). Relatively thin bark, with roots known as “knees” due to them growing out of the ground. It can reach heights between 50 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide. The bark has a color combination between brown and gray.

Photo #2: The above photo is of the Apple Snail, Pomacea paludosa (photo by me). It has a shell of 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter and 1-2 inches in height. It has a round or conical shape, with 5-6 whorls that increase in size as they spiral away from the center. The shell color can range from yellowish-brown to dark brown, with or without dark spiral bands. Photo #3: The above photo is of the Alligator Flag, Thalia dealbata (photo by me). The plant can grow up to 10 feet tall and has large leaves that can reach up to 3 feet long and 6 inches wide. It is normally found in cypress swamps, marshes, and ponds. Photo #4: The above photo is of the Flagfish, Jordanella floridae (photo by the U.S. Geological Survey). The Flagship fish usually attains a length of 2-3 inches and displays a recognizable design of upright stripes on its flanks that typically appear dark green or brown. Additionally, they exhibit a vivid orange- red mark on the side of their dorsal fin.

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Photo #5: The above photo is of the Mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki (photo by Chris Appleby and posted in the U.S. Geological Survey) Mosquito fish are diminutive freshwater fishes that grow up to 2.5 inches at most. Usually, they are colored in shades of grey or olive-green and display a dark lateral line. Photo #6: The above photo is of the Strangler Fig, Ficus aurea (photo by me). The Strangler Fig tree can grow as tall as 50-60 feet and develops aerial roots due to bird or wind- distributed seeds, which can spread and cause constriction of nearby trees. Photo #7: The above photo is of the Zebra Butterfly, Heliconius charithonia (photo by Philip Kline and posted on the U.S. Forest Service page). The Zebra butterfly displays wings that have black and white stripes, along with yellow bands and spots. The wingspan of this butterfly species can vary between 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Photo #8: The above photo is of the Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias (photo by Christine Sandberg and posted on the National Geographic page). The Great Blue Heron is characterized by a body size of 3.2 to 4.5 feet and a wingspan of 5.5 to 6.6 feet. It has a long pointed bill and a gray-blue body. Photo #8: The above photo is of the Florida Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina (photo by Gary Helm and posted on Flickr). The Florida Snapping Turtle has a muscular carapace and a shell that can be between 8 to 18 inches long. They have webbed feet with sharp claws, long thick necks, and a strong jaws. They come in a range of colors including brown, gray, or a combination of both. Photo #9: The above photo is of the Wood Duck, Aix sponsa (photo by Clayton Ferrell and posted in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service page). The male Wood Duck has a body covered in green, blue, and purple feathers with a red bill, while the female is typically gray. They are medium-sized and have crests on their heads.

Photo #10: The above photo is of the Snowy Egret, Egretta thula (photo by Evan Lipton and posted in All About Birds). The Snowy Egret is a compact heron with white feathers, black legs and bill, and yellow feet. It also features delicate, long plumes on its head, neck, and back during the breeding season. Its length goes between 20 to 27 inches, and its wingspan can go up to 41 inches. Species Profile Choose 1 NEW plant or 1 NEW animal for each field trip ( one not already included on the flora/fauna list ) to write a short (1 page) species profile. Include the scientific name, habitat preference, feeding habits, daily patterns and any other characteristic of note. Include references both in-text and in a bibliography for two primary literature sources, as well as any additional resources you use to collect the information. Also include a picture of the species (this does not have to be your own picture, but be sure to cite outside sources).

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The Cattle Egret (photo by Missouri Department of Conservation) Description: The Cattle Egret, which scientific name is Bubulcus ibis, is a small white heron. Adults have yellow peaks and legs, while younger ones have blackish legs. Legs and beaks change to a reddish color during the breeding season. The feathers of the head, breast, and back also change to a light orange color (Missouri Department of Conservation, par. 3). Habitat-preference: Cattle Egrets usually forage in groups near their nesting colonies, often in flooded fields or pastures where they walk among livestock. They are less associated with streams than other herons and can be identified by their small size and white plumage (Missouri Department of Conservation, par. 6). Feeding habits: They forage in open wet areas and pastures. It is informed that “in addition to grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets, they also eat horseflies, cicadas, ticks, worms, centipedes, spiders, crayfish, fish, frogs, mice, and even small birds, eggs, and nestlings (Missouri Department of Conservation, par. 7). Nesting and reproduction: Cattle Egret breed in colonies with other herons. They usually lay between 3 to 4 eggs, however, it can occasionally get to 5 eggs. The incubation process is done by both of the parents, in a process that takes between 22 to 26 days (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, par. 17-19) Migration and life: “Cattle Egrets spend their winters by the U.S. Gulf Coast states, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean” (Missouri Department of Conservation, par. 10). Cattle Egrets can live at least 17 years.

Anthropogenic Effects on the Ecosystems Humans have had significant impacts on the Cypress swamp ecosystem, both in the past and present. In the past, logging was a significant threat to the cypress swamp ecosystem, as the old-growth cypress trees were highly valued for their high-quality timber. The widespread logging of these trees led to the destruction of large areas of the swamp, as well as changes in the hydrology of the ecosystem, which affected the plants and animals that depend on it (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, par. 1-2). In present times, the expansion of urbanization and human has influenced the landscape and the life on it. The National Park Service informs that the “swampland has been drained, cleared, and cultivated, roads have been constructed, and homesteads established. Wildfires were stopped and non-native vegetation was introduced. Pollutants have also degraded water quality” (par. 2). This changes the composition and structure of the ecosystem, promotes habitat loss, and alters natural processes. References Here list in an organized fashion any references at the end of the report that were used to enhance your field report. DO NOT GIVE ME JUST A WEBSITE LINK – I WANT TO SEE ORGANIZATION NAMES, DATES, AUTHOR NAMES, ETC. Use only reliable websites ending in .edu, or .gov. (Next page)

Works Cited A National Preserve - One Land, Many Uses - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) . www.nps.gov/bicy/learn/the-first-national-preserve.htm. “Cattle Egret.” Missouri Department of Conservation , mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field- guide/cattle-egret. “Cattle Egret.” Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/birds/waterbirds/cattle-egret.html. Accessed 27 Feb. 2023. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS . plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant- directory/ficus-aurea. Deadhead Logging | Florida Department of Environmental Protection . floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources- coordination/content/deadhead-logging. EENY323/IN598: Applesnails of Florida Pomacea Spp. (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) . edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN598. Environmental Factors - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) . www.nps.gov/bicy/learn/nature/environmentalfactors.htm. Fuller, P., 2023, Jordanella floridae Goode and Bean in Goode, 1879: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=663, Revision Date: 7/22/2019, Peer Review Date: 6/7/2012, Access Date: 2/27/2023 “Great Blue Heron | National Geographic.” Animals , www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/great-blue-heron Helm, Gary. “Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra Serpentina Osceola).” Flickr , 14 Apr. 2014, www.flickr.com/photos/ghelm/13859665835 . Accessed 27 Feb. 2023

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“Native Flora + Fauna.” Florida Museum , 31 Jan. 2019, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/southflorida/habitats/cypress-swamps/flora-fauna . Nico, L.G., Fuller, P., and Neilson, M.E., 2023, Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/Factsheet.aspx?speciesID=849, Revision Date: 2/8/2021, Peer Review Date: 9/27/2001, Access Date: 2/27/2023 Snapping Turtle – INHS Herpetology Collection . herpetology.inhs.illinois.edu/species- lists/ilspecies/snapping-turtle “Snowy Egret Fact Sheet.” CT.gov - Connecticut’s Official State Website , portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Snowy-Egret. Snowy Egret Photos and Videos for, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology . www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Egret/photo-gallery. Taxodium Distichum (Baldcypress, Bald Cypress, Cypress, Swamp Cypress) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxodium-distichum. Thalia Dealbata (Hardy Canna, Powdery Alligator-flag, Powdery Thalia, Thalia, Water Canna) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/thalia- dealbata. “Wood Duck.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service , www.fws.gov/species/wood-duck-aix-sponsa. Accessed 27 Feb. 2023. Zebra Longwing Butterfly . www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the- month/zebra_longwing.shtml .

EVR3013L - Field Report II

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